NASA Captures Gorgeous Backlit Photo Of Saturn

Photo courtesy: NASA

YAHOO.COM - NASA's Cassini spacecraft has captured a gorgeous backlit image of
Saturn and its rings, providing a holiday treat for scientists and the
public alike.

Cassini took the photo — actually a mosaic of 60 images — on Oct. 17, while looking back toward the sun from a spot within Saturn's
shadow. Such a view can reveal details about the planet's atmosphere
and rings that aren't otherwise visible, researchers said.

The image also highlights the beauty of the ringed planet, which everyone can appreciate.

"This glorious image is our special gift to you, the people of the
world, in this holiday season that brings the year 2012 to a close,"
Cassini imaging team lead Carolyn Porco, of the Space Science Institute
in Boulder, Colo., said in a statement.

"I fervently hope it serves as a reminder that we humans, though
troubled and warlike, are also the dreamers, thinkers, and explorers
inhabiting one achingly beautiful planet, yearning for the sublime, and
capable of the magnificent," she added.

Two of Saturn's many moons are visible in the newly released photo as
tiny white dots below and to the left of the planet's rings. Geyser-spewing Enceladus,
which likely harbors an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy shell, is
closer to the rings; Tethys sits farther below and to the left.

Cassini last took a similar backlit Saturn shot in September 2006,
researchers said. Earth could be seen as a pale dot in that mosaic,
which was called "In Saturn's Shadow." (Like the sun, our planet is
obscured by Saturn in the new photo.)

The 60 images composing the new mosaic were taken in violet, visible
and near infrared wavelengths, researchers said. The overall image was
processed in false color.

The $3.2 billion Cassini mission is a collaboration involving NASA, the
European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. Cassini launched in
1997, arrived at Saturn in 2004 and delivered the Huygens lander to the
surface of Saturn's huge moon Titan in January 2005.

Cassini should continue studying Saturn and its moons for years to come; its mission has been extended though at least 2017.

SPOKANE, Wash. - An elderly North Spokane woman has been living in fear for months. She said an estranged relative abandoned a trailer in her backyard and then took off. She said the trailer has now attracted squatters and all sorts of criminal activity. She said she tried desperately to get it removed without any luck.

SPOKANE, Wash. - An elderly North Spokane woman has been living in fear for months. She said an estranged relative abandoned a trailer in her backyard and then took off. She said the trailer has now attracted squatters and all sorts of criminal activity. She said she tried desperately to get it removed without any luck.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - An 8-year-old Sacramento boy was beaten to death with a hammer while protecting his younger sister from being sexually assaulted by his mother's ex-boyfriend, according to court documents.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - An 8-year-old Sacramento boy was beaten to death with a hammer while protecting his younger sister from being sexually assaulted by his mother's ex-boyfriend, according to court documents. Investigators say Dante Daniels was beaten on September 1 and died six days later from his injuries. A criminal complaint says 23-year-old Deandre Chaney Jr. was performing a criminal lewd act on Dante's 7-year-old sister when Dante stepped in to help.

COLFAX, Wash. - Update 6:23 p.m.: Officials with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network say a reported explosion near Colfax Monday afternoon may have been the result of a faulty reading related to an earthquake in Montana.

COLFAX, Wash. - Update 6:23 p.m.: Officials with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network say a reported explosion near Colfax Monday afternoon may have been the result of a faulty reading related to an earthquake in Montana.

SPOKANE, Wash. - It's no secret that Spokane is struggling to fight homelessness in a battle that's been going on for years. People are getting passionate about what is and isn't being done about it. On Monday night, the city of Spokane wanted to hear from the community about tackling the problem of homelessness. Over a hundred people came to the meeting.

SPOKANE, Wash. - It's no secret that Spokane is struggling to fight homelessness in a battle that's been going on for years. People are getting passionate about what is and isn't being done about it. On Monday night, the city of Spokane wanted to hear from the community about tackling the problem of homelessness. Over a hundred people came to the meeting.

BREAKING: Charges of fraud and corruption in NCAA basketball have been brought against 10 individuals including coaches. The FBI has arrested ten people, including four college basketball coaches, as well as managers, financial advisors, and representatives of a major international sportswear company in a fraud & corruption probe.

BREAKING: Charges of fraud and corruption in NCAA basketball have been brought against 10 individuals including coaches. The FBI has arrested ten people, including four college basketball coaches, as well as managers, financial advisors, and representatives of a major international sportswear company in a fraud & corruption probe.

SPOKANE, Wash. - After a house break-in and burglary, one man already had enough on his plate. But then, he found out his dog was missing. “This was his area. This was his spot,” says Sean Copko. Sean got his 9-week-old blue heeler puppy Dale recently. He’s been posting his dog’s picture all over town in the hopes of finding him. “He's a little sweetheart,” he says.

SPOKANE, Wash. - After a house break-in and burglary, one man already had enough on his plate. But then, he found out his dog was missing. “This was his area. This was his spot,” says Sean Copko. Sean got his 9-week-old blue heeler puppy Dale recently. He’s been posting his dog’s picture all over town in the hopes of finding him. “He's a little sweetheart,” he says.